Past Tense: September 6, 2018

The Idyllwild Volulnteer Fire Department was first on the scene at a roadside blaze along Highway 243 about 1 mile below town Saturday, Nov. 3, 1973, at sunset. Location of the blaze, which did little damage, and the day’s high humidity, prompted speculation that the fire might have been set. Idyllwild Fire Chief Bud Hunt is shown at right. File Photo/Norwood Hazard

70 years ago - 1948

“Don’t look for the Town Crier next week,” advised the editor. “We’re skipping every other week to do our winter chores.”

65 years ago - 1953

The Marais-Miranda folk opera “African Heartbeat” premiered at the Bowman, but the weather was so cold the audience huddled in blankets.

60 years ago - 1958

Anza Electric Cooperative was conducting a survey to see how many potential users there might be for telephone service in Anza.

55 years ago - 1963

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was getting set to open.

50 years ago - 1968

Prolonged drought had turned brush lands into a living tinderbox. Low rainfall had been recorded for more than 18 years.

45 years ago - 1973

Five occupants of a house on Fern Valley Drive barely escaped death when their house, along with two cars, was destroyed by a fire. The fire originated from a can of ashes removed from the fireplace and placed on the deck. Burn holes could be seen in the bottom of the burned-out can. The family dog perished.

40 years ago - 1978

More than 51,000 people visited the mountain area over Labor Day weekend, according to figures the U.S. Forest Service compiled. Of that number, 23,648 visited Idyllwild.

35 years ago - 1983

The Garner Valley Volunteer Firefighters barbecue was called a “great success,” with nearly 700 people attending the dinner and dance. Proceeds were to be used for fire and rescue equipment.

30 years ago - 1988

Heavy, last-minute enrollment and a power outage added to the usual hectic activity at area schools during the first day of the new school year.

25 years ago - 1993

The Disaster Preparedness Committee was working to purchase caches of medical supplies for each of its Neighborhood Collection Points on the Hill.

20 years ago - 1998

The fifth-annual Jazz in the Pines festival was very successful with a 25-percent increase in attendance over the previous year.

15 years ago - 2003

The Bobcats, an Idyllwild American Youth Soccer Organization that Chris Read coached, came back champions of a regional tournament. The five girls went undefeated in four games to win the girls under age 10 tournament.

10 years ago - 2008

Internationally recognizable Camel and Marlboro man Bob Beck died at home in Idyllwild after a difficult struggle with cancer.